Tar paper, commonly sold as asphalt-saturated roofing felt, typically costs $15-$45 per roll, or about $0.04-$0.15 per covered square foot, depending on weight and brand. For a straightforward roof, material and installation labor for the underlayment usually add roughly $0.25-$0.70 per square foot; roof size, pitch, tear-off, access, and local labor rates can raise the total.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-pound felt roll | $15 | $22 | $32 | Usually covers about 400 square feet before overlap |
| 30-pound felt roll | $22 | $32 | $45 | Usually covers about 200 square feet before overlap |
| Felt material per covered sq ft | $0.04 | $0.08 | $0.15 | Varies by weight, coverage, and purchase quantity |
| Installed underlayment | $0.25 | $0.45 | $0.70 | Per roof sq ft for uncomplicated installation |
| 1,500-sq-ft roof underlayment | $375 | $675 | $1,050 | Material and labor, before tear-off or repairs |
What homeowners pay for tar paper on a typical roof
For a standard asphalt-shingle project, the felt itself is inexpensive; roof access and installation labor usually account for more of the bill. A 1,500-square-foot roof may need roughly four 15-pound rolls or eight 30-pound rolls after allowing for overlap and cutting waste. That places felt material near $60-$180 for 15-pound rolls or $176-$360 for 30-pound rolls, depending on actual coverage and retail pricing.
Installed prices commonly run $0.25-$0.70 per roof square foot for underlayment work on an open, simple roof. At 1,500 square feet, that is about $375-$1,050. This estimate generally assumes accessible roof decking, no old roofing to remove, ordinary fastening, and no significant deck repairs. It does not include shingles, flashing, or the rest of a roof replacement.
Roofers may price underlayment as part of a complete reroof rather than as a separate line. In that case, the quote may include felt alongside shingles, starter strips, flashing, tear-off, and disposal, making a direct comparison difficult. Ask whether the listed amount covers only felt installation or the full roofing assembly.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. retail material prices, standard asphalt-saturated felt, and a basic residential roof with normal access; local labor and product availability vary.
How felt roll weight and coverage change the material bill
Roll price alone can mislead because heavier felt costs more per roll but covers less area. A common 15-pound roll covers about 400 square feet before laps, while a 30-pound roll covers about 200 square feet. Actual usable coverage is lower because roofers overlap courses and may lose material at edges, valleys, hips, and penetrations.
| Felt type | Typical roll coverage | Retail price per roll | Approximate material rate | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-pound asphalt felt | About 400 sq ft gross | $15-$32 | $0.04-$0.08 per sq ft | Basic underlayment where allowed by the roofing plan |
| 30-pound asphalt felt | About 200 sq ft gross | $22-$45 | $0.11-$0.23 per sq ft gross | Heavier felt where added thickness is specified |
| Self-adhered felt-style product | About 150-200 sq ft per roll | $60-$120 | $0.30-$0.80 per sq ft | Special areas or product-specific roof assemblies |
Retail packaging and product specifications differ, so use the printed coverage rather than assuming every roll matches these figures. To estimate quantities, divide measured roof area by usable roll coverage, then add about 10%-15% for laps and waste on a simple roof. A complex layout may require a larger allowance.
For example, a 1,500-square-foot roof with 15-pound felt at 350 square feet of practical coverage per roll would require about five rolls. At $15-$32 each, that is $75-$160 before tax and delivery. The same roof using 30-pound felt at 175 square feet per roll would need about nine rolls, or approximately $198-$405.
What the roofing quote includes beyond felt rolls
A useful estimate separates underlayment material, installation, and any added roof work. The table shows common line-item ranges for a basic 1,500-square-foot roof. Rates are planning figures, not fixed national prices; a contractor may bundle several items into one charge.
| Quote item | Typical charge | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felt material | $60-$360 | $0.04-$0.23 per sq ft gross coverage | Weight, brand, roll coverage, and waste |
| Installation labor | $300-$750 | $0.20-$0.50 per roof sq ft | Pitch, height, layout, and crew access |
| Fasteners and small supplies | $25-$100 | Per job | Fastener type and roof area |
| Old felt or roofing removal | $150-$600 | $0.10-$0.40 per roof sq ft | Existing layers, debris volume, and disposal fees |
| Decking repair allowance | $75-$300 per sheet | Per 4-by-8-foot sheet | Rot, water damage, and lumber costs |
Some contractors apply a minimum service charge, so a small repair can cost $150-$400 even when it uses only part of a roll. Separate mobilization, delivery, or disposal charges may also apply. Before approving work, confirm whether the price includes underlayment removal, replacement fasteners, cleanup, tax, and any repair allowance.
Labor estimates can be checked with . A small crew may spend 4-8 hours laying felt on a simple roof, while a steep or cut-up roof can take 8-16 hours or longer. At roughly $50-$100 per worker-hour before contractor overhead, differences in crew size and setup time materially affect a labor quote.
How roof pitch and deck condition move the final price
Pitch, roof layout, and the condition of the wood deck are the strongest job-specific price drivers. A low-slope roof that is safe to walk may stay near the lower labor range. A roof steeper than about 6:12 can require additional fall protection, slower handling, and more setup, adding roughly 15%-40% to underlayment labor. Very steep sections or difficult ladder access can push labor beyond that range.
Roof area also matters, but measured roof area is larger than a home’s footprint. Eaves, overhangs, dormers, and roof geometry increase the surface to cover. A 1,500-square-foot house footprint might have 1,700-2,000 square feet of actual roof, depending on design and pitch; estimates should use roof measurements, not living area.
On a simple roof, waste may stay near 10%-15%. Valleys, dormers, hips, chimneys, and multiple penetrations can raise waste to 15%-25% and add labor. If the deck has soft or delaminated plywood, replacing each 4-by-8-foot sheet can add about $75-$300 installed, depending on thickness, location, and repair access.
Material selection can change the quote as well. A local code, manufacturer specification, or roof design may call for a particular underlayment or additional protection at eaves and valleys. If a roofer proposes heavier felt or a self-adhered product, the estimate should identify where it will be used and why, rather than applying the higher-priced option across the entire roof without explanation.
Lower the tar paper bill by controlling roof scope
The most reliable savings come from paying for the material and coverage the roof actually needs, not from skipping required protection. Ask the contractor to state the felt weight, roll coverage, quantity, overlap plan, and price per roof square foot. That makes it easier to spot an estimate that assumes too little usable coverage or charges for more rolls than the roof measurements support.
When replacing shingles, compare the incremental charge for new underlayment with the cost of removing or repairing existing layers. Reusing old felt is generally not appropriate beneath new shingles, but a small, localized repair may not require replacing the whole roof covering. A qualified roofer can identify whether the damage is confined to a flashing area or extends across the deck.
Homeowners can reduce billable time by moving vehicles, clearing access near the house, and deciding on materials before delivery. They should not climb onto a steep roof to remove old felt or stage rolls. Compare at least three itemized quotes for the same roof area and scope, including disposal, deck repairs, and cleanup. A very low bid that omits those items may not be the lowest final price.
Schedule ordinary work before a leak becomes urgent when possible. Emergency work after a storm may involve temporary covering, after-hours labor, or a minimum callout charge of $150-$500. Avoid choosing felt solely by roll price: a product that is incompatible with the shingle system or local requirements can create costs that outweigh a small material saving.
How roof size changes installation hours and labor cost
Installation labor is usually priced by roof area, with additional time for setup and detail work. On an accessible, single-story roof, two workers may lay felt over 1,000-1,500 square feet in about 4-8 hours, assuming tear-off is already complete and the deck needs little repair. A larger roof or one with several valleys may take a full day or more.
At $50-$100 per worker-hour as a rough labor-rate equivalent, a two-person crew working six hours represents $600-$1,200 in gross crew labor before overhead, insurance, and profit. Contractors may instead quote $0.20-$0.50 per square foot for straightforward felt installation. The difference is not necessarily an overcharge: time-based and area-based bids include different assumptions about travel, setup, and minimum charges.
Ask whether labor includes installing drip-edge-adjacent courses, valley protection, and felt around roof penetrations. These details can add 1-3 hours on a moderately complex roof. Weather delays also matter; felt should not be left exposed longer than the product instructions allow, so a crew may schedule underlayment close to shingle installation rather than install it far in advance.
Regional labor rates create different felt installation totals
Local wages, contractor availability, and disposal rules can shift the installed price even when the same roll is used. As a broad comparison, rates in major coastal metros can run about 15%-35% above a national baseline, while many smaller Midwest or Southern markets may be 5%-15% below it. Remote rural locations can be higher than nearby cities if crews must travel far or make a special delivery.
For a basic 1,500-square-foot roof, an illustrative installed range might be $320-$900 in a lower-cost market, $375-$1,050 near a typical national range, and $430-$1,400 in a high-cost metro or difficult-access market. These totals cover underlayment material and labor only, not the complete roofing project. They are planning ranges rather than published local bids.
Regional weather and building requirements can affect the scope. Areas with wind-driven rain, snow, or specific ice-dam provisions may require additional self-adhered membrane at eaves or valleys. That specialized protection can add roughly $0.30-$0.80 per square foot for the treated area, not necessarily the entire roof. Local code and manufacturer instructions determine what is required.
Tar paper versus synthetic underlayment by square foot
Asphalt felt usually has the lowest purchase price, while synthetic underlayment often costs more but may be lighter and easier to handle. Typical felt material runs around $0.04-$0.23 per gross square foot depending on weight; synthetic rolls commonly cost about $0.08-$0.25 per square foot. Installed totals depend on roof conditions and brand, and a higher material price does not automatically mean a higher complete-roof quote.
| Underlayment | Material price | Typical installed range | Budget consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-pound felt | $0.04-$0.08 per sq ft | $0.25-$0.60 per sq ft | Lowest-cost standard option where permitted |
| 30-pound felt | $0.11-$0.23 per sq ft | $0.35-$0.75 per sq ft | Heavier material, but more rolls per roof |
| Synthetic underlayment | $0.08-$0.25 per sq ft | $0.30-$0.80 per sq ft | Product handling and specification affect value |
Compare the complete product specification, including exposure limits, slip resistance, fastening instructions, and compatibility with the roofing material. A roofer may recommend synthetic underlayment for easier handling or a specific manufacturer warranty. If the project is a basic shingle reroof and felt meets requirements, the lower material rate may be sufficient; the installer should explain any upgrade in terms of the actual roof conditions.
Self-adhered membrane is not simply a like-for-like replacement for standard felt. It is often used in limited areas where extra water protection is required, and its installed price can be several times higher per square foot. Using it only where specified can control costs without substituting a less suitable product in vulnerable locations.